Saturday, March 25, 2017

If nothing more than it is interesting so see what the results are and the kind of power we really have by such an act. What if atheists would do that on Easter Sunday? Would YOU be willing to turn off all non essential power for a given period of time - providing we do no harm?You can copy and past this if you wish http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/03/24/earth-hour-dont-turn-off-the-lights/99575624OrLink to article on USA Today here!

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Most Humanists share a strong interest in understanding the world to be instrumental in making it a better place for us all. An open minded search often leads us to unexpected perspectives that may be difficult to grasp or dismiss without further discussion. Our approach is always questioning further and looking deeper. Sometimes alone, in the dead of night and sometimes with like minded Humanists or others with conflicting ideas. The one and greatest pitfall in navigating information is our confirmation biases that can hold us back.What is 'Confirmation Bias'

"A psychological phenomenon that explains why people tend to seek out information that confirms their existing opinions and overlook or ignore information that refutes their beliefs. Confirmation bias occurs when people filter out potentially useful facts and opinions that don’t coincide with their preconceived notions. It affects perceptions and decision making in all aspects of our lives and can cause us to make less-than-optimal choices. Seeking out people and publications with different opinions than our own can help us overcome confirmation bias and make better-informed"

Would you like 'Confirmation Bias' to be a separate blog subject from Racism and Toxic Masculinity? Please let us know.

Please click on the link below, take the time to listen to the panel and share your thoughts with our readers. You may do this anonymously. "Racism and toxic masculinity are pervasive hallmarks of our culture. This panel will examine how these manifest and how they can be uprooted to stem the rise of militarism and global violence."

Monday, March 13, 2017

We are having our monthly meeting this Wednesday the 15th of March. As usual, we socialize and set-up from 6:30 till 7 pm when our program begins. Come on over to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship hall on NW 34th Street in Gainesville for congenial company and refreshments. Hot coffee and cool water provided, and we appreciate all the inventive treats you all bring that keep us munching along as we gather.

Join us to learn about local resident Cindy Nelly's experience as a Certified Nurse Midwife and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, working in Turkey and Lebanon with Syrian Refugees. Cindy will share her personal experience, describe the challenges of working in the international setting and discuss ongoing and future projects in the area. There will be a presentation followed by an open discussion to allow for your questions and thoughts.

Cindy is really looking forward to answering our questions, and getting our feedback about her experiences.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

"Bissonnette’s actions and personal “likes” highlight the weird entanglement of atheists, Christian neoconservatives and theocrats, and far-Right white nationalists, which is something reasonable atheists should reflect on very seriously."http://religiondispatches.org/atheisms-dark-side-aiding-the-trump-agenda/

Have we changed our attitudes during the past five years?Personally, I know that I have - but only in the sense that I might have been able to disconnect the actions of religious leaders from their followers. I like to call it religious profiling. Remember the saying: Tell me who your friends and I know who you are. Times have changed, for many. We see Muslim immigrants trying to escape the clutches of religious warfare and wonder, why they are not escaping their religions. It's not an easy answer as culture and religion are deeply intertwined. So, here I ask our readers: How have you reconciled yourself in this very fast changing world with the victims of harmful ideologies? Have you ever considered that he effects of Trauma Bonding could play a role here?